drogue
    n 1: a funnel-shaped device towed as a target by an airplane
    2: a truncated cloth cone mounted on a mast; used (e.g., at
       airports) to show the direction of the wind [syn: windsock,
       wind sock, sock, air sock, air-sleeve, wind sleeve,
       wind cone, drogue]
    3: restraint consisting of a canvas covered frame that floats
       behind a vessel; prevents drifting or maintains the heading
       into a wind [syn: sea anchor, drogue]
    4: a parachute used to decelerate an object that is moving
       rapidly [syn: drogue, drogue chute, drogue parachute]

parachute \par"a*chute\, v. i.
   TO descend to th ground from an airplane or other high place
   using a parachute; as, when the plane stalled, he parachuted
   safely to the ground.
   [PJC]

   golden parachute a generous set of financial benefits,
      including severance pay, provided by contract to a
      high-level corporate employee in the event s/he is
      dismissed or his/her job is lost in a corporate takeover
      or merger; also, the contract providing for such benefits.
      

   drogue parachute a small parachute that is first released
      and opened in order to more reliably deploy a larger
      parachute. Also called drogue.
      [PJC] parachuter

Drogue \Drogue\ (dr[=o]g), n.
   1. (Naut.) See Drag, n., 6, and Drag sail, under Drag,
      n.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. a small parachute dragged behind a vehicle as a means of
      stabilizing it, or deployed first so as to assist opening
      of a larger parachute.
      [PJC]

   3. a funnel-shaped attachment at the end of a hose suspended
      from a tanker airplane in flight, to which the probe of
      another airplane may connect, so as to complete a
      connecting hose line through which fuel may be transferred
      from the tanker to the following airplane. It is used for
      in-flight refueling.
      [PJC]